value simultaneously. Even when
securities markets perform well, there can be no assurance that the investments held by the Portfolio will increase in value along with the broader market. Changes in the financial
condition of (or other event affecting) a single issuer can impact an individual sector or industry, or the securities markets as a whole. The value of a security also may decline
due to factors that affect a particular sector or industry.
Geopolitical events, including acts of terrorism, tensions, war or other open conflicts between nations, or political or economic dysfunction within some nations that are global economic powers or major producers of oil, may lead to overall instability in world economies and markets generally and have led, and may in the future lead, to increased market volatility and may have adverse
long-term effects. World markets, or those in a particular region, may all react in similar fashion to important economic, political or other developments. Events such as environmental and natural disasters or other catastrophes, public health crises (such as epidemics and pandemics), social unrest, and cybersecurity incidents, and governments’ reactions (or failure to react) to such events, could cause uncertainty in the markets and may adversely affect the performance of the global economy. Impacts from climate change
may include significant risks to global financial assets and economic growth. The extent and duration of such events and resulting market disruptions could be substantial and could magnify the impact of other risks to the Portfolio. The value and liquidity of the Portfolio’s investments may be negatively affected by developments in other countries and regions, whether or not the Portfolio invests in securities of issuers located in or with significant exposure to the countries or regions directly affected.
Changes in government or central bank policies and political, diplomatic
and other events within the United States and abroad could cause uncertainty in the markets, may affect investor and consumer confidence, and may adversely impact financial markets
and the broader economy, perhaps suddenly and to a significant degree. High public debt in the United States and other countries creates ongoing systemic and market risks and policymaking uncertainty and may negatively affect economic conditions and the value
of markets, sectors and companies in which the Portfolio invests.
In addition, markets and market participants are increasingly reliant on information data systems. Inaccurate data, software or other technology malfunctions, programming inaccuracies, unauthorized use or access, and similar circumstances may impair the
performance of these systems and may have an adverse impact upon a single issuer, a group of issuers, or the market at large.
Asset Allocation Risk — The Portfolio’s investment performance depends upon how its assets are allocated across
various asset classes and how its assets are invested within those asset classes. Some asset classes and investments may perform below expectations, or below the securities markets generally, over short and extended periods. The allocation strategies used and the allocation and investment decisions made could cause the Portfolio to lose value and may not produce the desired results.
Equity Risk — In general, the values of stocks and other equity securities fluctuate, and sometimes widely
fluctuate, in response to changes in a company’s financial condition as well as general market, economic and political conditions and other factors. Stock markets tend to run in cycles, with periods when stock prices generally go up and periods when stock prices generally go down.
However, stock markets also can move up and down rapidly and unpredictably. In addition, common stock prices may be particularly sensitive to rising interest rates, which increase borrowing costs and the costs of capital. The Portfolio may experience a significant or complete loss on its investment in an equity security.
Interest Rate Risk — Changes
in interest rates may affect the yield, liquidity and value of investments in income producing or debt securities. Changes in interest rates also may affect the value of other
securities. When interest rates rise, the value of the Portfolio’s debt securities generally declines. Conversely, when interest rates decline, the value of the
Portfolio’s debt securities generally rises. Typically, the longer the maturity (i.e., the term of a debt security) or duration (i.e., a measure of the sensitivity of a debt
security to changes in market interest rates, based on the entire cash flow associated with the security) of a debt security, the greater the effect a change in interest rates could have on the security’s price. Thus, the sensitivity of the Portfolio’s debt securities to interest rate risk will increase the greater the duration of those securities. Changes in government or central bank monetary policy may have a substantial and immediate impact on interest rates, which could result in losses to the Portfolio.
Credit Risk
— The Portfolio is subject to the risk that the issuer or guarantor of a fixed income security, or the
counterparty to a transaction, is unable or unwilling, or is perceived as unable or unwilling, to make timely interest or principal payments or otherwise honor its obligations, or defaults completely, which may cause the Portfolio’s holdings to lose value. The downgrade of a security’s credit rating may decrease its value. Lower credit quality also may lead to greater volatility in the price of a security and may negatively affect a security’s liquidity. The credit quality of a security can deteriorate suddenly and rapidly. The Portfolio may experience a significant or complete loss on a fixed income security or a transaction.
Volatility Management Risk — The
Portfolio may invest from time to time in Underlying Portfolios managed by the Adviser that may employ various volatility management techniques or make strategic adjustments to
their asset mix (such as by using futures and options to manage equity exposure). Although these actions are intended to reduce the overall risk of investing in an Underlying
Portfolio, they may not work as intended and may result in losses by an Underlying Portfolio, and in turn, the Portfolio, or periods